News Releases

Nevada’s Green Projects During the First 200 Days of the Recovery Act

SAN FRANCISCO – On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). The U.S. EPA manages more than $7 billion in projects and programs that will invest in environmental protection and provide long-term economic benefits to aide recovery efforts across the nation. More than $41 million in Recovery Act Funds have already been obligated to Nevada, including:

· The Nevada Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Air Pollution Control was awarded $1.73 million in Recovery Funds for the state's clean diesel program. Nevada plans to implement a clean school bus project under this program, replacing many of the oldest diesel buses operated by Nevada school districts.

· A cooperative agreement with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection will be used to distribute $1,266,000 for assessment and cleanup of underground storage tank petroleum leaks.

· The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection has been awarded Recovery Funding in the amount of $19.5 million for the drinking water State Revolving Fund program. It provides low-interest loans for drinking water systems to finance infrastructure improvements and ensures safe drinking water.

· The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection has been awarded $194,300 in Recovery funds for Water Quality Management Planning (WQMP). Planning is an important step in EPA’s goal to improve water quality in America’s lakes, rivers and streams.

· The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection has been awarded $19.2 million in Recovery funds for the state's Clean Water State Revolving Fund program which provides low interest loans for water quality protection projects for wastewater treatment, non-point source pollution control, and watershed and estuary management.

· The EPA awarded $800,000 in Recovery Funds for Nevada to address brownfields projects to help communities revitalize abandoned and contaminated properties, bringing them to productive reuse.

o Carson City will receive $400,000 in Recovery Act funds to conduct site assessments. In older parts of Carson City, mines, lumber mills and railroads have left hazardous contamination behind. o Sparks will receive $400,000 for community-wide assessments as well. In Sparks, contamination was left behind at historic railroad operations, along with vacant warehouses, auto shops and petroleum handlers. The extent of contamination in both cities will be determined using Recovery funds.